by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 7, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Microscopes are a staple of science class, and students at Lafayette Middle School got an upgrade with funding from a grant in fall of 2023. The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, awarded a grant to Uniontown Area School District for a new set of digital microscopes for Robert Schiffbauer’s middle school science classroom.
“In recent years, I have had to skip portions of lessons due to the fact that I did not have the necessary classroom tools. Rather than simply looking at images on the projection screen, students will now be able to explore and discover on their own and within small groups,” said Schiffbauer.
Seven digital microscopes were purchased to replace outdated and damaged microscopes in the school’s inventory.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is a donor advised fund that has awarded funding to enhance STEM education for local students. “After 40 years as a science educator, I wanted to give back to the community that launched my career. Helping to enhance teaching and learning through an annual grant to a Uniontown Area STEM teacher seems like a good start,” said Dr. Patricia A. Metz. “This year’s awardee taught me that microscopes have come a long way since I was a high school student!”
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 11, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, has awarded over $25,000 to Fayette Emergency Medical Services (EMS) since 2019 for PPE gloves, portable radios, EMT training classes, and general operating support. With their most recent grant from the fund, Fayette EMS purchased Nitronox units – machines that are used to administer pain medications.
Matthew Knight, Fayette EMS Assistant Chief, at CFFC’s spring 2023 grants presentation
“Fayette EMS is beyond grateful for the grants awarded to us by CFFC. It is because of these extra funds that we are able to continue purchasing new and improved equipment to help us serve the residents of our community,” said Beth Burd, Fayette EMS Director of Finance & HR Coordinator.
Without a Nitronox unit, only Paramedics are able to give pain medications and they are sometimes called to a scene and are “out of service” to their current crew. Nitronox units enable Advanced EMTs to also give these medications. With Fayette EMS responding to over 20,000 calls per year, any opportunity to improve their care to residents is impactful.
“By receiving these units and allowing our Advanced EMTs to be able to give pain medications that currently only Paramedics can give, it will better allow us to keep our ambulances moving and staffed throughout the county,” explained Burd.
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents. The Community Foundation of Fayette County is happy to steward this charitable fund, along with many others, in the efforts of building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy.
Watch this short video to learn more: https://youtu.be/F3l4RaRlGMc
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 5, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
At Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School: George Belch, Building Construction Instructor; Fayette CTI students who constructed Buddy Benches; Bernadette Ptak; Nate White, Instructional Supervisor
Think back to the excitement of the playground during grade school recess… the bright sunshine as you exit the school building, the smell of freshly cut grass, the feeling of mulch under your feet as you navigate through the jungle gym, and the energy of your classmates around you. Children may have some days when they feel isolated from all of that action though, and a local couple has worked with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) to help.
The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund, held at CFFC, is a donor advised fund that was created by its namesake. The fund provided a grant for Buddy Benches at Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School, Lafayette Elementary/Middle School, Marclay Elementary School, and Wharton Elementary School. One bench was installed at each of those four schools in the Uniontown Area School District.
Buddy Benches are used on school playgrounds as a way for students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to. When a child sits on the Buddy Bench, other classmates are encouraged to invite that child to play with them.
The Ptaks knew they wanted to utilize their charitable giving to install Buddy Benches at local schools, and CFFC was ready to make that happen. Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, reached out to Fayette County Career & Technical Institute (CTI) to ask if they could construct the benches. George Belch, Building Construction Instructor, said it was a go.
Fayette CTI students – six in particular – constructed the four benches. The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund grant provided funding for materials to construct the Buddy Benches.
When seeing a Buddy Bench for the first time, Mrs. Ptak gratefully said to the Fayette CTI students, “Thank you so much. You did a wonderful job.” The bench installations at the school playgrounds will serve as a tool for kindness for years to come.
Featured on KDKA-TV’s “Community Compass” segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/four-buddy-benches-created-for-four-uniontown-area-school-district-playgrounds-community-compass/
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 22, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted 350 guests at the third annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with Fairchance Construction Company as the Presenting Sponsor. The black-tie event featured a champagne greeting, a cocktail hour and dinner with an open bar, online bidding for an array of silent auction items, a live auction, live music by the Kendall Brothers Band and dancing, and an after-party with a buffet, Stix-DiMarco’s Cigar Bar, and live music by Joe Materkowski. Mike Clark of WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4 was the master of ceremonies, and Tony Quarrick was the auctioneer for the live auction.
Senator Pat Stefano presented a citation to the Community Foundation as a special acknowledgment of its 25th anniversary. He presented it to Renee M. Couser (CFFC Executive Director), Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair), and Ron Gabriel (CFFC Vice Chair).
Brandon Katzeff (2024 Gala of Giving Auction Chair) spoke more about CFFC’s 25th anniversary, with November 15, 1999 as the founding date. “The foundation has grown to hold about 200 charitable funds and nearly $25 million in assets,” noted Katzeff. Each year, a percentage of the charitable assets is used to support nonprofits through grants and to support local students through scholarships.
Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair and 2024 Gala of Giving Chair) addressed the Exhibit Hall to share gratitude to Fairchance Construction for their presenting sponsorship. She also spoke about the foundation’s goals with the Gala of Giving. All event proceeds will stay in Fayette County, with a goal of being a “catalyst for change” by investing in projects that can affect change and growth in the community.
“Starting on April 15, CFFC will be accepting proposals for a second $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant,” said Braun. The foundation is looking for projects that will have county-wide impact, be a true collaboration to address community needs, and serve as a catalyst for change in strengthening Fayette County.
John Wagner III, President and Artistic Director of Main Street Theatre Company, spoke about the first Catalyst for Change Grant that was awarded in fall of 2023 for the organization’s first-ever Fayette County high school musical showcase – “Encore! A Showcase of Local Talent”. The project collaborates with State Theatre Center for the Arts, as the venue host for the showcase, and Fayette County Cultural Trust, as the presenters for the Achievement in the Arts awards that will be announced at the showcase. Tickets are on sale for the May 5, 2024 showcase, with performances at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wagner explained that he was tasked to announce dinner, “but simply saying ‘dinner will be served’ doesn’t seem very fun… so instead, I’ll say hit it!” Music started to play and attention was drawn to a table when Brennen Wager-Malia popped up from his seat with candlestick props on his arms as he performed Lumiere’s opening lines to “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As the song progressed, more Main Street Theatre Company performers rose from their seats to join at the front of the room, with a confetti finish for the surprise ensemble performance.
The thrilling live auction included an autographed Troy Polamalu jersey, a JOLTBIKE electric bike, an office makeover from COE Distributing, a Vahan bracelet from Joyce’s Jewelry, concert tickets for either Jason Aldean or Justin Timberlake, Army Navy game tickets, a Deep Creek, MD getaway, and a Nemacolin overnight stay with golfing.
The room was beautifully decorated by ILLUME Lighting + Event Design and flowers were provided by Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House. Signs and print materials were coordinated through FastSigns of Uniontown and Direct Results. A photo booth mirror from The Wow Booth Co. helped guests capture the evening.
“We are so thankful to everyone who has supported CFFC throughout the past 25 years, and to everyone who is supporting the Gala of Giving as a way to strengthen the future of our charitable impact,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
More information about the Gala of Giving and the Catalyst for Change Grant can be found on CFFC’s website at www.cffayettepa.org. Contact the foundation at 724-437-8600 if you would like to learn more about your charitable giving options.
Watch a brief thank-you video!
Follow us on social media @cffayettepa to see pictures!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 15, 2024 | CFFC News
We had a fabulous evening at the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success, and thank you to all who support the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
We’ll be sharing photos soon, but first we have a special announcement…
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event to raise money for projects that can affect change and growth in the community. Event proceeds support bigger and bolder grants that will help to strengthen Fayette County. The foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry for a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, with a deadline of June 15.
Grant description:
The project should be a true collaboration between two or more nonprofits, showing a collective effort to address community needs. The nonprofits must be located in Fayette County or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. The project should incorporate county-wide impact, both in the number of people impacted by the project and the geographic reach of the project’s impact. Projects that spark economic growth will be viewed favorably. Projects that anticipate sustainability or can become sustainable will be viewed favorably. The grant should be expended within a year of the award.
Selection process:
- Interested nonprofits submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). LOIs are reviewed by the CFFC Grantmaking Committee. Nonprofits will be notified if they are invited to submit a full Application.
- Invited nonprofits submit an Application. Applications are reviewed by the CFFC Grantmaking Committee. Nonprofits will be notified if they are invited to present their proposal.
- Selected nonprofits present their proposal to the CFFC Board of Directors. The CFFC Board of Directors will make final decisions for the Catalyst for Change Grant in the fall.
Click here to start your Letter of Inquiry!